BLM Seeks Nominations to Resource Advisory Councils

Reno, Nev.-- The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is extending the deadline for nominations for ten open positions on its Mojave Southern Great Basin and Northeastern Great Basin Resource Advisory Councils (RACs). The BLM will consider the nominations for 45 days after publication of the formal call for nominations in the Federal Register on April 20, 2012. The BLM will accept nominations until June 4, 2012.

Resource Advisory Councils are citizen-based groups that make recommendations to the BLM regarding public land and resource management, including land-use planning, recreation, fire management, livestock grazing, and wild horse and burro herd management. The Bureau is looking for a diverse group of people representing industry, environmental organizations, historical and archaeological groups, state and local governments, Indian tribes, and the general public.

“Citizen-based recommendations from the Resource Advisory Councils enhance our ability to manage public lands and achieve multiple-use goals,” said BLM Director Bob Abbey. “The people who live, work, and recreate near or on BLM-managed lands deserve a formal voice in the planning process and their input serves as a valuable tool in the decision-making process.”

The BLM, which manages more land than any other Federal agency, has 28 RACs across the West, where most BLM-managed land is located. Each RAC consists of 10 to 15 members with an interest in public land management. Members are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior to serve an initial three-year term and may be reappointed to serve additional three-year terms. The diverse membership of each RAC is aimed at achieving a balanced outlook that the BLM needs for its mission, which is to manage the public lands for multiple uses.

Northeastern Great Basin, which serves Elko, White Pine, Lander and Eureka counties. Nominees should live within the geographical area encompassed by the RAC they are applying to represent.

The positions open for appointment on the Mojave-Southern Great Basin RAC are:

• one representative from organizations associated with energy or mineral development • one representative from a wild horse interest group • one representative of archaeological or historical interests • one representative of Indian tribes within or adjacent to the area • one representative for permitted recreation

The positions open for appointment on the Northeastern Great Basin RAC are:

• one representative of Indian tribes within or adjacent to the area • one representative of archaeological or historical interests • one representative from a nationally or regionally recognized environmental organization • two representatives from organizations associated with energy or mineral development

Completed nominations for the Northeastern Great Basin RAC positions should be mailed to Lesli Ellis-Wouters, BLM Elko District Office, 3900 East Idaho Street, Elko, NV 89801. The phone number is 775-753-0386. This RAC holds meetings in the Elko, Eureka, and Ely areas.

Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on an advisory council. Nominations should be made on the appropriate nomination form, which is available at any BLM office, or on the internet at www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/res/resource_advisory.html. Nominees must be a resident of Nevada. Nominees will be considered on the basis of their training, education, and knowledge of the council’s geographical area. Nominees should also demonstrate a commitment to consensus building and collaborative resource decision-making. All nominations must include letters of reference from the represented interests or organizations; a completed nomination form; and any other information that addresses the nominee's qualifications. All nominations will be given full consideration.

The councils meet several times a year, usually quarterly, and provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior, through the BLM district managers and the state director, on management of the public lands within the council’s geographic area. It is the practice in Nevada to hold one joint meeting of all three Nevada RACs every year.

For questions about the RACs or the application process, or to request a nomination form, contact the district offices listed above, or the Nevada State Office at 775-861-6588.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of Americas public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.